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On December 2, 2012, the last flock of baby ostriches born at the the Academy will be leaving for their new home. Some will be moving to new quarters at the Sacramento Zoo while others will grow up at OstrichLand USA. This breeding ranch in Solvang, explains Tim Steinmetz, the Academy’s Ratities Program Coordinator, provided the eggs which were hatched at the Academy. Because adult ostriches can grow as large as 9 feet tall and weigh 350 pounds, they were never intended to be permanent part of the Academy's living collections. “Plus,” Steinmetz says, “We have reached the end of the ostrich breeding season, so this is a natural time to phase out the ostrich component of the exhibit.” For a look back at the ostrich's hatching, watch the Behind-the-Scenes clip.